Restrictions urged on Fore River Bridge openings

Tuesday

Jun 6, 2017 at 3:58 PMJun 6, 2017 at 3:58 PM

Lane reductions across the temporary Fore River Bridge did not created feared traffic tie-ups on Route 3A, Monday but drivers had a 23-minute delay at 9 a.m. when the span was opened to allow a large tanker to pass underneath it,

Ed Baker ebaker@wickedlocal.com @EdBakerWeymouth

Lane reductions across the temporary Fore River Bridge did not created feared traffic tie-ups on Route 3A Monday but drivers had a 23-minute delay at 9 a.m. when the span was opened to allow a large tanker to pass underneath it.

Weymouth Town Council is requesting MassDOT and all state officials do what they can to prevent the bridge from being opened during rush hour for ship passages while travel across the span is reduced to one passing lane.

The lane restrictions will continue until Sept. 1, according to MassDOT.

Travel has been reduced to one passing lane in each direction across the span since June 2 because onramps are being built for a new $244 million bridge.

Councilor-at-large Brian McDonald said MassDOT needs to be asked to do what it can to prevent bridge openings during rush hour while travel is restricted to one-lane in each direction across the span.

"I know today went reasonably smooth," McDonald said Monday, June 5. "I think this is something we need to do. I know maritime law allows ships of a certain size the right of way."

Bridge openings have been an aggravation for drivers since the initial span was built in 1933.

Motorists often experience delays that last from 15 to 45 minutes when the bridge is opened for large vessels to pass underneath it.

The exact time the bridge is raised is uncertain because weather and safety conditions have to be evaluated by lift operators.

Bridge openings, along with waterway traffic, are regulated by the Coast Guard.

Maritime law requires the bridge to open on signal for all self-propelled vessels greater than 10,000 gross tons.

State and local officials are urging commuters to utilize the MBTA ferry boats in Hingham and commuter trains to go in and out of Boston during peak travel times.

MassDOT plans to shift traffic onto the new span beginning Sept. 1 and continuing through Sept. 30 to make way for the demolition of the temporary bridge. Commuters will then have two lanes for travel on the northbound side during the morning rush hour and one lane will be provided for southbound traffic.

The travel lanes will be adjusted by using a zipper lane which is also used on the Southeast Expressway for the morning and afternoon drives into Boston.

The zipper lane will be adjusted during the evening rush hour to provide southbound drivers with two travel lanes and one lane will be available for northbound traffic.

Travel will be increased to two lanes across the bridge in each direction if the construction stays on schedule, according to MassDOT.

Details on traffic delay by bridge opening provided by The Patriot Ledger.